Measurement of the electron reconstruction efficiency at LHCb

The single electron track-reconstruction efficiency is calibrated using a sample corresponding to 1.3 fb−1 of pp collision data recorded with the LHCb detector in 2017. This measurement exploits B+→ J/ψ(e+e−)K+ decays, where one of the electrons is fully reconstructed and paired with the kaon, while the other electron is reconstructed using only the information of the vertex detector. Despite this partial reconstruction, kinematic and geometric constraints allow the B meson mass to be reconstructed and the signal to be well separated from backgrounds. This in turn allows the electron reconstruction efficiency to be measured by matching the partial track segment found in the vertex detector to tracks found by LHCb's regular reconstruction algorithms. The agreement between data and simulation is evaluated, and corrections are derived for simulated electrons in bins of kinematics. These correction factors allow LHCb to measure branching fractions involving single electrons with a systematic uncertainty below 1%

A MULTIOBJECTIVE APPROACH TO THE SHORT-TERM SCHEDULING OF A HYDROELECTRIC POWER-SYSTEM

This paper is concerned with the short-term scheduling of the Iguacu river hydroelectric power system, in Southern Brazil. The system comprises four plants with an unusual high coupling, held by two different utilities. Even though government regulations establishes operation guide lines, utilities have their own interests. A multiobjective framework is adopt to study the operation of the system. Dynamic programming is used to find optimal solutions, with an implementation based on the concept of differential dynamic programming. A case study shows the possibility of obtaining energetic gains with the adoption of non-conventional operation rules and the need of negotiation to avoid wasting energy.1041750175

Cellulitis lesions in broiler chickens are induced by Escherichia coli Vacuolating Factor (ECVF)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Escherichia coli Vacuolating Factor (ECVF) is a heat-labile, vacuolating cytotoxin produced by avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolated from avian cellulitis lesions. In this report, we intend to demonstrate that purified ECVF induces the inflammatory process of cellulitis. Our group is the first to demonstrate the effect of ECVF in a histological analysis by in situ inoculation of broiler chickens with purified ECVF. The animals were inoculated with the APEC AC53 and with purified ECVF subcutaneously on their ventral surface (in the sternum region). The histological analysis showed different grades of an acute inflammatory response in the epidermis, dermis and panniculus. An increase in mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha was also demonstrated in the inflamed tissue. When ECVF was systemically administered, increased levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were observed in the serum. These results suggest that ECVF plays a key role in the inflammatory process associated with cellulitis that is mainly mediated by TNF-alpha. In addition, this inflammation can be downregulated by the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.16241731866872Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [00/06841-7